Kadesh (Israel)

Kadesh (Israel)

Kadesh or Qadhesh in Classical (Hebrew: קָדֵשׁ‎), also known as Qadesh-Barneʿa (קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ), is a location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible where a number of historical events took place. Kadesh was an important site in Israelite history.

It was the chief site of encampment for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness of Zin (Deut. 1:46); it was from Kadesh that the spies were sent out into Canaan (Num. 13:1-26); The first failed attempt to take the land was made from Kadesh (Num. 14:40-45); Moses disobediently struck the rock that brought forth water at this location (Num. 20:11); Miriam and Aaron died and were buried nearby (Num. 20:1, 22-29); and Moses sent envoys to the King of Edom from Kadesh (Num. 20:14), asking for permission to let the Israelites pass through his terrain. The Edomite king denied this request.

Kadesh-Barnea is also a key feature in the common biblical formula delineating the southern border of Israel (cf. Num. 34:4, Josh. 15:3, Ezek. 47:19 et al.) and thus its identification is key to understanding both the ideal and geopolitically realized borders of ancient Israel. There is a moshav in the Negev desert of modern-day Israel with the name Kadesh Barne'a, also called Nitzanei Sinai.